Welcome to pagan metal theatre! Web Of Wyrd are two showmen from Sweden presenting their 1st demo, even though this pair have been forging this stuff since 1996.

Morgan Sundell is the man of many voices (also handles the bass and machinery). He sounds a true madman with his shrieky voice, which is simultaneously startled yet without attitude. There's various other voices from spoken (reminding me of Rakoth) to hissed to a drunk-sounding male choir (missing the right notes, definitely too tanked to be any good!). Playing different characters and various moods, the main voice is still that shriek. I bet this annoys many a listener, but my ears can take enough punishment anyways. The lyrics are fantastic indeed, especially '3rd of November 1324' which tell the true story of same Alice Kyteler, the Sorceress of Kilkenny and 'Where Do Owls Sleep?' which is about the Web of Wyrd in the Nordic tradition. Partly written in ye olde English, I find them fascinating. Great witch interrogation intro (from a movie?) sets the atmosphere immediately.

Anders Gustafsson is the guitarist (also handles the machinery and provides backing vocals). Web Of Wyrd's music is a bastard of black metal and thrash metal. English acts Cradle Of Filth and Sabbat are ones that come to my mind. It's more like "similarities" than "similar". The music change fast from nasty blackened thrash to folky vibe to mighty melodies and back. However, the songs feel whole, even the multiparted 'Where Do Owls Sleep?'. Theatrical aspect is constant in every composition. While the roots are in the 1980s, there's a modern aspect in the music, meaning a slight industrial touch at a point or two. Solos are bloody tasty, by the way! The use of keyboards is good (choirs, whistles, flutes etc.), but the drum machine is a bit lame and affects negatively to the atmosphere, even though it's quite heavy soundwise.

The music is not the only aspect for Web Of Wyrd. What you see is the other. The demo is presented with nice color covers and the lyrics are printed with suitable pictures. The whole is good. Web Of Wyrd have managed to lift pagan spirits in these modern times. I wouldn't be surprised, if the band manages to get a recording deal with this demo.

Reviewed by Lane
04/24/2004 15:49